The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ezekiel

  • Ezekiel smashes 400m hurdles Nigerian record

    Ezekiel smashes 400m hurdles Nigerian record

    Nigeria’s quarter miler, Nathaniel Ezekiel delivered another epoch making performance at the Big 12 Championships in Kansas, smashing the country’s 400m hurdles record for the second time in two days, as he stormed to victory in the final with a blazing time of 47.89s.

    The 21-year-old had initially made history in the heats on Thursday, becoming the first Nigerian ever to break the 48-second barrier with a 47.91s finish — a race that shattered his previous national record of 48.00s. But yesterday, Ezekiel went even faster, lowering the mark once again and confirming his status as one of the hottest 400m hurdlers in the world right now.

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    His 47.89s final performance not only secured the Big 12 title, but also reset the Big 12 meet record, the Baylor University record, and solidified his lead on the 2025 NCAA performance list. He is now third fastest in the world this year, trailing only Karsten Warholm and Alison dos Santos, and sits seventh on the all-time NCAA list.

    Ezekiel won the final with authority, finishing over a second ahead of Oskar Edlund (49.00s). In doing so, he completed a sensational double at the Big 12 Championships — two sub-48s, two national records, and a growing legacy.

    Since first breaking Henry Amike’s long-standing Nigerian record of 48.50s in 2022, Nathaniel has now lowered the national record six times in three years. His latest exploits also make him the 8th fastest African of all time, and the fastest African in the event since 2015.

    He was also part of the Baylor 4×400 relay team that placed sixth overall after winning their heat at 3:06.19. Nathaniel Ezekiel ran the final leg in a time of 44.12s.

  • Ezekiel, Amaefule to join Dream Team camp

    Ezekiel, Amaefule to join Dream Team camp

    As the U-23 National Team, Dream Team, gets set to take on their Brazilian counterparts in an international friendly later this month, coach Samson Siasia has been forced to make some changes to the team that will be travelling to the Samba land.

    Siasia, who is in charge of the Senior National Team, Super Eagles for this month’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double date against the Pharaohs of Egypt, has invited midfielder Imoh Ezekiel and defender Chizoba Amaefule, who will now take the place of  Peter Olayinka and Sergio Uyi. The latter have been forced out of the trip due to injury.

    The head coach expressed confidence that with the calibre of players going to Brazil, he is confident that the team is on the right track in its preparation for the men’s football tournament of the Olympics coming up in Rio de Janeiro in August this year.

    Last week, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Confederacao Brasileira de Futebol (CBF) confirmed that their U-23 squads would play an international friendly match in Brazil on  March 24.

    “The CBF is happy to host the champions of Africa, Nigeria Olympic team on  March 24 FIFA date at 7pm at the stadium of Kleber Andrade in the city of Cariacica, Vitoria, Espirito Santo,” the statement read.

  • Ezekiel Bassey guns for double with Enyimba

    Ezekiel Bassey guns for double with Enyimba

    CHAN Eagles star Ezekiel Bassey has said he hopes to win a league and cup double with Enyimba this season.

    Enyimba won a record seventh in November, but they did not get off to a great start ahead of the new season when they lost 4-3 on penalties to cup holders Akwa United in Wednesday’s Charity Shield to usher in the new season.

    However, Bassey said they have put behind the loss to his hometown club and will be aiming for a league and cup double by the time the new season gets underway this weekend.

    “We will not only defend our league title, but also win the cup,” said the dashing winger.

    “We are ready for the new season. Our problem has been that we create many chances and we do not convert them.

    “That was what happened against Akwa United (in Charity Shield) and in Uganda (vs SC Vipers in the CAF Champions League). But that will soon be a thing of the past.”

  • Ezekiel targets Belgian Jupiler League in 2014

    Ezekiel targets Belgian Jupiler League in 2014

    Imoh Ezekiel is confident Standard Liege can beat all comers to the Belgian Jupiler League title this year.

    The Nigerian-import who had a rather good 2013 is hoping to improve the teams’s disappointing performance that saw Standard Liege finish their adventure with UEFA Europa League on group stage.

    “We have to look forward to 2014 and try to win the title. We can put everything on the Championship,” Ezekiel told belgiumsoccer.be.

    Speaking further, the forward who spent Christmas in Nigeria assured club fans that he wants to win the title with Standard in 2014 and also increase his 8 goals haul in Belgium Jupiler League despite scoring three additional goals; one goal in Belgian Cup and another 2 in UEFA Europa League.

    “The Europa League was a disappointment for me personally and the team, but sometimes that’s football, there’s nothing we can do,” added the Nigerian youngster who recently won the Man of the Match award against Kortijk.

    Imoh’s Standard Liege currently on top of Belgian topflight with 4 points lead over second Anderlecht before going into a 3-week long break.

  • Imoh Ezekiel still unstoppable

    Imoh Ezekiel still unstoppable

    NIGERIAN youngster Imoh Ezekiel continued his exploits in his debut season in the Belgian Jupiler League with his ninth goal on Friday. He is now tied in sixth place with DR Congo international Dieumerci Mbokani on the goal scorers’ chart.

    However, none of his goals have come from the penalty spot unlike the league leading scorer and Gambia international Ebrahim ‘Ibou’ Sawaneh, whose 13 goals have included five from the penalty spot.

    The former 36 Lion of Lagos star struck in Standard Liege 6-1 demolition of 10-man Charleroi, on song in the 65th minute to net Standard Liege’s sixth goal. The 19-year-old striker has already declared his interest to feature for 2013 Africa Youth Championship-bound Flying Eagles and he has sparked off interest across some of the big clubs in Italy.

    Standard are now fourth on the table with 32 points from 19 games, eight points behind leaders Anderlecht.